Gregory Doran's account of his quest to re-discover Cardenio, the lost play written by Shakespeare and John Fletcher. A thrilling act of literary detection that takes him from the Bodleian Library in Oxford, via Cervantes' Spain to the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford. Fully illustrated throughout, Shakespeare's Lost Play tells a fascinating story, which, like the play itself, will engross Shakespeare buffs and theatregoers alike. Doran's much-praised production of Cardenio for the Royal Shakespeare Company marked the culmination of years spent searching for a famously 'lost' play co-authored by William Shakespeare. In this book, Doran takes us with him on his quest to unearth every extant clue and then into the rehearsal room as he pieces together a play unseen since its first performance in 1613. The result, as the Guardian attested, is 'an extraordinary and theatrically powerful piece, one that should both please audiences and keep academic scholars in work for years'.

William Shakespeare's historical plays performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2014. In 'Henry IV - Part I', King Henry IV (Jasper Britton) is troubled by the behaviour of his son and heir, Prince Hal (Alex Hassell), who has forsaken the Royal Court to waste his time in taverns with the likes of Sir John Falstaff (Antony Sher), an old, fat, jovial drunkard who captivates the young prince with his zest for life. In 'Henry IV - Part II', when Henry is confined to his bed with a serious illness it seems likely that Hal will shortly be appointed king. Hal's suitability for the role, however, concerns the present king even as his death approaches and Hal takes the decision to spend less time with his friends in preparation for the responsibilities of leadership. Falstaff, meanwhile, comes out of semi-retirement to raise a small militia. Now getting on in years, the rascal hopes his friendship with Hal will land him the comfortable retirement he seeks, but will Hal be true to his old allies when he finally puts on the crown?

Live performance of William Shakespeare's historical play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2014. When King Henry IV (Jasper Britton) is confined to his bed with a serious illness it seems likely that his son, Hal (Alex Hassell), will shortly be appointed king. Hal's suitability for the role, however, concerns the present king even as his death approaches and Hal takes the decision to spend less time with his friends in preparation for the responsibilities of leadership. Falstaff (Antony Sher), meanwhile, comes out of semi-retirement to raise a small militia. Now getting on in years, the rascal hopes his friendship with Hal will land him the comfortable retirement he seeks, but will Hal be true to his old allies when he finally puts on the crown?

Live performance of William Shakespeare's historical play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2014. King Henry (Jasper Britton) is troubled by the behaviour of his son and heir, Prince Hal (Alex Hassell), who has forsaken the Royal Court to waste his time in taverns with the likes of Sir John Falstaff (Antony Sher), an old, fat, jovial drunkard who captivates the young prince with his zest for life.

William Shakespeare's historical plays performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2014. In 'Henry IV - Part I', King Henry IV (Jasper Britton) is troubled by the behaviour of his son and heir, Prince Hal (Alex Hassell), who has forsaken the Royal Court to waste his time in taverns with the likes of Sir John Falstaff (Antony Sher), an old, fat, jovial drunkard who captivates the young prince with his zest for life. In 'Henry IV - Part II', when Henry is confined to his bed with a serious illness it seems likely that Hal will shortly be appointed king. Hal's suitability for the role, however, concerns the present king even as his death approaches and Hal takes the decision to spend less time with his friends in preparation for the responsibilities of leadership. Falstaff, meanwhile, comes out of semi-retirement to raise a small militia. Now getting on in years, the rascal hopes his friendship with Hal will land him the comfortable retirement he seeks, but will Hal be true to his old allies when he finally puts on the crown?